"Bakaiti," now streaming on ZEE5 via OTTplay Premium from August 1, 2025, offers a realistic portrayal of a middle-class family's struggles and joys, set against the backdrop of old Ghaziabad. Directed by Ameet Guptha, this slice-of-life series stars Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chadha as the parents, Sanjay and Sushma Kataria, who are trying to navigate financial difficulties and maintain their family's well-being.
The Kataria family's life takes a turn when they decide to rent out a portion of their house to cope with mounting financial pressure. This decision leads to a series of changes and challenges, particularly for their children, Naina (Tanya Sharma) and Bharat (Aditya Shukla). Bharat, a cricket-crazy teen, is forced to share his room with his ambitious and grounded elder sister, Naina, resulting in the typical sibling rivalry and banter.
Rajesh Tailang, known for his roles in "Mirzapur" and "Delhi Crime", brings his acting prowess to the character of Sanjay, the silent provider and emotional anchor of the family. Tailang describes Sanjay as an "accidental comedian," highlighting the beauty found in everyday life. He believes the series captures the nuances, humor, and "tender messiness" of family life, making it relatable to a wide audience. Tailang also shared that the viewers will find the show familiar. According to Tailang, families often have members with conflicting desires, which results in disagreements. He also added that some families tend to talk more than listen.
Sheeba Chadha, a celebrated actress with a diverse filmography, plays Sushma, the wife and mother who embodies the quiet strength found in many Indian homes. Chadha said that being part of "Bakaiti" felt familiar and that playing Sushma reminded her how love and laughter can flourish even amidst chaos. Chadha spoke about the bittersweet relationship between her character's father and her husband, as depicted in the trailer. She explained that fathers often have a certain way of feeling about their daughters' husbands, no matter how good they are.
"Bakaiti" has drawn comparisons to the popular TVF series "Gullak," another slice-of-life show that explores small-town family life. While both shows share similarities in their setting and focus on everyday conflicts and nostalgia, "Bakaiti" aims to heighten tension through plot-driven conflicts like the home rental situation. The performances of Tailang and Chadha have been lauded for their grounded depth, echoing the strengths of Jameel Khan and Geetanjali Kulkarni in "Gullak".
The series promises a blend of laughter, satire, and emotions, with eventful incidents that resonate with viewers. "Bakaiti" strives to capture the essence of middle-class life with honesty and warmth. It also promises a mix of laughter, satire, emotions, and eventful incidents from the family's daily lives that come across as familiar as well as heartwarming. By exploring the financial problems and sibling rivalry within the Kataria family, "Bakaiti" aims to strike a chord with Indian audiences who appreciate heartfelt and realistic storytelling.
